Robert Tollast, a land warfare expert at the Royal United Service Institute, said Ukrainian brigades may require as much as 1,000 tonnes of fuel, food, ammunition and other essential supplies each day. His comments highlight the scale of the logistical burden facing military units operating in sustained combat conditions, where maintaining a steady flow of supplies can be as important as frontline firepower.
Tollast’s remarks came in the context of Ukraine’s evolving use of long-range strikes. He noted that Ukraine had previously conducted a long-range strike campaign targeting Russian air defence units, but said the new drone strike ranges are “something else,” indicating a significant expansion in operational reach. The comment suggests that Ukraine’s strike capability has developed beyond earlier patterns, potentially allowing attacks deeper into Russian-held or Russian-controlled territory.
The scale of daily supply needs underscores how modern warfare depends on logistics, not just weapons and manpower. Fuel is required to move vehicles and power equipment, while food and ammunition sustain soldiers in active combat. Other key supplies can include spare parts, medical material, communications equipment and batteries. When brigades are engaged over large distances or in prolonged operations, the ability to keep these supplies moving can determine whether forces remain effective.
Ukraine has increasingly relied on drones and long-range systems as part of its broader battlefield strategy. These tools have been used to disrupt Russian military infrastructure, including air defence assets that can otherwise limit air and drone operations. Tollast’s statement implies that the latest drone capabilities may extend Ukraine’s reach further than before, raising the stakes for Russian defences and logistics networks.
The comments also reflect the changing nature of the conflict, where unmanned systems are playing a larger role in shaping battlefield conditions. Drone strikes can offer flexibility, lower risk to personnel and the ability to hit targets at distances that would previously have required more traditional missile systems or aircraft. As a result, both sides face growing pressure to adapt their defences, supply chains and operational planning.
For Ukraine, the ability to strike at greater range may provide strategic benefits by forcing Russian forces to disperse assets, strengthen protection around critical sites and commit more resources to air defence. For Russia, the threat of deeper strikes could increase the challenge of shielding rear-area facilities, ammunition depots, command posts and supply hubs.
Tollast’s observation about the scale of required supplies also serves as a reminder of the immense resource demands involved in large-scale ground operations. Even modest advances can require extensive logistical support, and a failure to deliver food, fuel or ammunition can quickly degrade combat readiness. In that sense, logistics remains one of the most decisive elements in any modern military campaign.
His comparison between earlier attacks on Russian air defence units and the newer drone strike ranges points to a notable escalation in capability. While Ukraine has already demonstrated an ability to target important military assets, the ability to do so over longer distances may further complicate Russian operational planning and deepen the strategic impact of Ukraine’s strike campaign.
